Schefflera heptaphylla plant named &#39;Jungle Gem&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘Jungle Gem’, a  Schefflera heptaphylla  cultivar. ‘Jungle Gem’ is a moderately vigorous, erect, evergreen shrub with glossy green alternate, deeply toothed, ovate terminal leaves. Each leaf is palmately compound (digitate) with 5-7 leaflets. Each leaflet is deeply toothed with 5-9 teeth. The petiole is long and is sheathed at the stem. The stem is rounded, green at first, and aging to brown.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This plant patent application claims foreign priority based onAustralian Plant Breeder's Rights application No. 1999/113 filed Apr.28, 1999.

[0002] The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofSchefflera heptaphylla which is named ‘Jungle Gem’. Its genus isSchefflera. Its species is heptaphylla. Its market class is that ofpotted plants. ‘Jungle Gem’ is intended for use in landscaping, and as adecorative potted plant.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

[0003] ‘Jungle Gem’ was invented in 1994, in Kulnura, NSW, Australia.Its parents were wild Schefflera heptaphylla. ‘Jungle Gem’ was developedby means of open-pollination followed by seedling selection. Seeds fromthe wild form of Schefflera heptaphylla were collected in 1989. Theseseeds were grown in trial beds in Kulnura NSW, Australia. Severalhundred seedlings were raised.

[0004] Those seedlings exhibiting desirable plant habit were retainedand unsuitable selections were discarded in 1992. The remaining fourplants, all with nice growth habit, were allowed to open pollinate. Theresultant seed was collected and sown in 1994. Several hundred seedlingsresulted and were grown-on in pots. There was substantial variation inthe progeny.

[0005] The selection criteria used for ‘Jungle Gem’ was deeply serratedjuvenile foliage, vigor, and color of new growth. Propagation trials viacuttings commenced in 1996 and continued for three years. Severalthousand plants were produced in the propagation trials, all of whichwere stable and uniform in all characteristics. The propagules wereidentical to the original plant in all distinguishing characteristics,thus establishing the stability of ‘Jungle Gem’.

[0006] Comparative Trial:

[0007] The wild form of Schefflera heptaphylla was selected as thecomparator. The comparator is the parent of ‘Jungle Gem’. No othercommon forms or varieties are known to cultivation.

[0008] The comparative trial was conducted at Kulnura from 1995 to 2001.The plants were raised on their own roots from cuttings. The plants weregrown in 250 mm pots in commercial potting mix with 30% shade andoverhead watering. All plants were subjected to the same chemicaltreatments for crop protection and nutrition as required. Twelve plantsof each variety were arranged in a randomized block. Observations andmeasurements were taken from twelve plants of each variety.

[0009] Compared to wild Schefflera heptaphylla, ‘Jungle Gem’ exhibitsdeeply toothed, ovate terminal leaflet shape and margin. Its terminalleaflet mean length is 228 mm, mean width is 62 mm, and mean number oflobes is 5 with standard deviation of 1.6. In contrast, wild Scheffleraheptaphylla leaflets are entire, occasionally toothed, and of ovateterminal leaflet shape and margin. Wild Schefflera heptaphylla terminalleaflet's mean length is 204 mm, mean width is 69 mm, and mean number oflobes is 1.6 with standard deviation of 1.0.

[0010] Uniformity:

[0011]Schefflera heptaphylla ‘Jungle Gem” has been propagated asexuallythrough cuttings for four generations. No off-types have been observedthroughout the trial period. The variety is considered to be uniform andstable in all characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The major characteristics of ‘Jungle Gem’ include deeply toothed,ovate terminal leaflet shape and margin, vigor, and color of new growth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The invention, together with the other objects, features, aspectsand advantages thereof will be more clearly understood from thefollowing in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0014] Two sheets of drawings are provided. Sheet one contains FIGS. 1and 2. Sheet two contains FIG. 3.

[0015]FIG. 1 is a color photograph of a front view of ‘Jungle Gem’.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a color photograph of a front view of ‘Jungle Gem’.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a color photograph of a close-up top view of ‘JungleGem’ leaves.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

[0018]Schefflera heptaphylla ‘Jungle Gem’ is characterized by its deeplyserrated juvenile foliage, vigor, and color of new growth. ‘Jungle Gem’is a moderately vigorous, growth habit erect, perennial evergreen shrub.Its features are described below.

[0019] Stems: Stems are rounded, green at first (RHS 146B), then agingto brown (circa RHS 199B). Lenticels are apparent on immature stems.

[0020] Leaves: Leaf arrangement is alternate. Leaf type is palmatelycompound (digitate), long petioled, with attitude acute.

[0021] Petiole: Petiole length is 150-300 mm, with sheathing at stem.Coloration is red-brown circa RHS 177A extending along midrib, becomingpaler towards the leaflet apex.

[0022] Leaflets: Leaflet number is 6-9 (av. 7). Leaflets are deeplytoothed, and there are 5-9 teeth per leaflet (av. 5). The leaflet uppersurface is glossy green (RHS 147A) with scattered stellate hairs. Theleaflet lower surface is paler green (RHS 147B). Leaflet length(including leaflet stalk and petiolule) is 200-300 mm (av. 228 mm), andleaflet width is 70-90 mm (av. 62 mm). Leaflet shape in cross section isconcave. Veins are prominent, the apex is acute-mucronate, and the baseis cuneate.

[0023] New Growth: Leaves & inflorescence are green-brown (RHS 152C),with puberulent surfaces.

[0024] Inflorescence: Inflorescence type is terminal panicle, with largesize and strong branching.

[0025] Flowers: Flowers are small (7-10 mm in diameter), borne inclusters of 5-12 in small umbels at the end of panicle branches. Thecorolla exhibits 5-6 petals of pale green (RHS 150C) color. Calyx isabsent, the ovary is inferior, and anthers number 5-6.

[0026] Buds: Buds are orbicular and yellow-green (RHS 144A) in color.Flowering is infrequent; when it occurs, it does so during spring.

[0027] The following is a description of Schefflera heptaphylla ‘JungleGem’ during its growth cycle:

[0028] Stems: Stems are rounded, green at first (RHS 146B), then agingto brown (circa RHS 199B). Lenticels are apparent on immature stems.

[0029] Leaves: New growth leaves are green-brown (RHS 152C), puberulent.alternate, and palmately compound (digitate). Mature leaves arealternate, palmately compound (digitate), long petioled, with attitudeacute.

[0030] Leaflets: 6-9 (av. 7), deeply toothed, 5-9 teeth per leaflet (av.5), glossy green above (RHS 147A) with scattered stellate hairs, palergreen below (RHS 147B). Leaflet length (incl. leaflet stalk) 200-300 mm(av. 228 mm), width 70-90 mm (av. 62 mm), surface concave, veinsprominent, apex acute-mucronate, base cuneate.

[0031] All color codes refer to “The Royal Horticultural Society London,1995Ed.”. Colors and leaf size may vary somewhat depending onhorticultural practices such as light levels and fertilizer rates, amongother things, without however, any variance in genotype.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Schefflera heptaphylla named‘Jungle Gem’, substantially as shown and described.